Homish

Written by Kerry

We've been back in the Puget Sound for two weeks.  A lot can happen in two weeks...

Since leaving Tacoma last December, we've created a new term for wherever we are - "homish". Where our boat is, that is basically home, but since no home is permanent these days, "homish" seemed appropriate.

Our original plan at this stage was to head out again right away, turning left at the mouth of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and heading southward, ending in Mexico sometime in November.  Soon after we arrived in Port Angeles on August 7th, we started having serious conversations about what we truly wanted to do next in our journey.  Donn's eldest daughter is expecting her first child in September and after some introspection, he realized he wanted to ensure he was nearby for this exciting family event, and not away at sea.  This path of thought led us to the question "if we don't go now, then what do we do instead?"

We've decided to stay in the area for awhile - specifically Port Ludlow until October 1st, and then Port Townsend at least until May 1st, if not beyond.  We have secured slips in Port Ludlow marina from now until the end of September and in Point Hudson marina starting October 1st.  I am now actively looking for work in the area and Donn is getting ready to publish his novel and start up on his next few books. We also have a few small boat projects to finish while the sun still shines.

Priorities shift and plans change.  Change.  The one constant we can depend on.  Donn and I have had an incredible adventure on our shake down cruise and learned SO much.  It'll be good to let it all soak in and continue to dream and plan for further cruising adventures down the road.

We'll continue to post about our times here at "Homish".  Stay tuned!

1180 nm of Lessons

The Parents Await

David Cohen, Kerry and Donn about to land after 55 hours under passage.

Written by: Donn

• It's 1180 nm from Port Townsend to Port Angeles, Washington as long as you go via, Hunter Bay, Blind Bay, Deer Harbor, Jones Island, Sucia Island, Port Browning, Ganges Harbor, North Cove, Herring Bay, Dodd Narrows, Naniano, across Queen Charlotte Strait, Bedwell Harbor, Melanie Cove, Grace Harbor, Owen Bay, Otter Bay, Johnstone Strait, Pt. Neville, Port McNeil, Namu, Shearwater, the Price Island reefs in some real weather, Aristizabal Island and the Beaver Family, Winter Harbor on Northwest Van Isle, and a long straight shot (55 hours and 256 NM) into the Straits of Juan de Fuca) at midnight and zero fog visibility that did not let up until Port Angeles.
• Bringing on crew, especially experienced crew, is a damn good idea.
• Bringing on extra crew doesn't necessarily make things easier. 
• Bringing on extra crew, who we trusted and appreciate to no end -- that was well worth it. We could not have done the voyage we did without David, our 2nd mate. Our thanks go out to him for his time and energy, getting Brigadoon homish.
• Our Hydrovane is a game changer. It rocked, especially when combined with our $400.00 tiller pilot, which was a better alternative to the original $13K autopilot bid. Autopilots make standing watch so much easier. They steer better than we can, most of the time.
• The Rainman portable water maker is well worth having, even if the only storage spot I have for it causes a serious list to port.
• The remoteness of the various bays and harbors we visited cannot be overstated. Namu was rocky, remote and in a radio hole. We could not hear weather forecasts over VHF. The only thing you could hear were waterfalls and birds.
• Canadians are, by and large, pretty damn nice folks. They seemed happier, less stressed and more willing to engage than Americans. The only unpleasant Canadian we met was over the size of his wake in the very tight marina. Aside from that...
• Our IridiumGo Predict Wind combination made for effective weather decisions. We were 10 out of 10 on our decisions. We never sailed into a known storm and we planned ahead for things like waiting out a gale for a day or so. It all worked.
• Brigadoon is stout and strong. We can trust her.
• Brigadoon does not like sailing DDW in two meter, slightly confused seas. It's very unpleasant if she starts to roll and the sails aren't adjusted right. Once they are adjusted, it's just unpleasant. It can't be made much better. Slightly off the wind is better.
• Brigadoon loves, loves 120 deg and 15-20 kts. We saw speeds in the sevens.
• We are stronger than we thought and can do more than we expected.
• 1180 nautical miles, some offshore, in intl waters at times, 55 hours straight, sailing in 20-25 kts in two meter swell -- all things that taught us much.
• We circumnavigated Vancouver Island, a good part at night, and in 20-25 kts of following, rolling seas. All of us were offshore for the first time. 

It seems like we've accomplished so little compared to so many other sailors we know but, for us, it feels pretty epic right now.

Now we sit for a week or so and figure out the next steps in The Freedom Project.

We take pictures

We sit in Winter Harbor, on the north coast of Vancouver Island, waiting out a gale and preparing to head south to Port Townsend in a couple days. Here are some pics of our voyage so far.

Our closest Orca approach -- about 1/2 mile.

Being chased by a large sea lion. We suspect the thing thought we were trolling for salmon.

It would roll over and give us the stink eye.

Sea Otters like Winter Harbor. This one hunts off the docks, cracking mussels on it's chest.

Beach combing in Tate Cove was productive. This urchin was bigger than a softball.

The fierce eagles of Prince Rupert.

And a Kiingfisher for my friend Trevor.

We love wildlife, just not the buggy kind. Fortunately, I had saved some teak strips and screens in deep stores. I was able to build this while at anchor in Tate Cove.

Brigadoon, ready to head out on our last leg south to Port Townsend

We expect to be in Port Townsend within the week. Our first offshore, at night, in roller-coaster, two meter swells, was pretty exciting. It's amazing the stuff that is thrown around in Brigadoon. We will spend Friday securing everything, including the wandering 60lb sewing machine, before we leave.